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His age was a limiting factor, restricting both his physical growth and the intensity of his training. Even with the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit at his disposal, he had never dared use lightning to stimulate his cells and develop a training method like the Cloud Ninja's Lightning Body Tempering.
He was afraid.
Afraid that resorting to such extreme methods too early would exhaust his body's potential prematurely and cut short his normal development during puberty.
There was no shortage of precedents. In his previous life or in this world, examples like that were everywhere.
Xunjing leafed through the documents in his hands, then looked up at everyone seated around him.
"There's really no rush to start Lightning Body Tempering. Waiting until after fifteen to eighteen, when your physical development has fully stabilized, will actually give you better results."
His tone was calm, as though he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.
"Starting early isn't necessarily worth it. The returns don't justify the cost."
"Besides, we have options like the Longevity Manual and Advanced Body Technique. We can still improve our strength, so there's no need to rely on that."
The others beside him said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
Xunjing tapped the tabletop with a finger and changed the subject.
"I've made a rough estimate-Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Sakumo, the three of you are all at about Vice Admiral Level in combat strength."
He looked at Sakumo.
"If you can progress faster in the Pirate World's swordsmanship, become a Sword Master or even a Great Swordsman, and supplement that with Haki, the Meditation Method, and the Life-Nourishing Art, your strength will shoot up over the next few years."
"You might even surpass Tsunade and reach Admiral Level."
He paused, sweeping his gaze over everyone.
"By that reckoning, we already